Can-opener



1. P. SWEENEY.

CAN OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14. I911.

Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

Zlwuentoz 'JJ? 'weenqy.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES P. SWEENEY, OF SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK.

CAN-OPENER.

Application filed June 14,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs P. SWEENEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saugerties, in the county. of Ulster, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in can openers and particularly to the type which are rotatably operated to cut in a circular line in the end of a can.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and simple device of this character which will not be liable to slip while in operation.

Another object is to provide a device of this character in which the cutting and guiding means are formed from a single blank of metal and adjustably slidable on a handle lever or stem.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In'the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved can opener showing the same in operation.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank from which the cutting element is formed.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing 10 represents a bar which is provided at one end with a handle member 11 and at the other end with an integral prong, the latter being arranged for penetration in the center of the end of the can 12, which is being opened. Slidable on the bar is the cutting and guiding device which will now be more particularly described.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4 it will be seen that th1s member is formed from a single metal blank, and includes a body por- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

1917. Serial No. 174,728.

tion 13 from each side of one end of which there extend the rectangular wings 1 1. From the other end, and at the sides of the body there extend the wings 15, these latter wings being separated from the wings 14. by the incisions 16. The wings 14 are par tially separated from the body by the incisions 17 which are formed in parallel relation to each other and with the longitudinal axis of the body portion. Extending from the center of the first-named end of the body portion is a pointed tongue 18 said tongue lying in the same plane as the body but having its point directed laterally toward the outer end of one of the wings 14. This tongue is in the form of a sealene triangle.

One edge of the tongue is sharpened, as shown at 19 for the purpose of cutting the tin on a circular line.

The wings 11 are bent upwardly so as to embrace the shank of the bar as are also the Wings 15, the portion of the body between the incisions 17 being bent upwardly to form the shoulder 20, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The tongue is bent downwardly at right angles to the body as clearly shown in Fig. 1, also.

It will be seen that the cutting and guiding element is capable of being slipped along the barito prm'ide for cutting can tops of different diameters. It will also be noted that the shoulder 20 engages with the peripheral edge of the can and thus holds the member in proper position while the tongue cuts its circular line in the can top, thereby preventing the tongue from veering toward the center of the top or toward the outer edge thereof. Thus a. clean and perfeet out can be made in the top of the can.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the cutting and guiding means are formed from a single metal blank and then folded to slidably embrace the bar.

l/Vhat is claimed is:

A can opener including a can piercing shank, and a cutting and guiding member longitudinally slidable on the shank, said member being formed from a single piece of material and including a body portion formed with lateral members embracing the said shank, a knife portion in the form of a scalene triangle, and a member bent to In testimony whereof, I aflix my signaform a transversely recessed portion for ture inthe presence of two witnesses. guiding reception of the edge of a can to JAMES P. SWEENEY. V V be opened, said last named member having Witnesses: 7'

upturned Wings engaging the sides of the a L. -FRANCE,

shank. V F. R; PETERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the (lommissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D, 0.? 

